Bestselling Author Brenda Novak Announces Online Auction for Diabetes Research Will Support A Practical Cure

New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak announced today that the proceeds from her eighth annual diabetes research fundraiser will be directed toward a practical cure for the first time.

Novak worked with the Juvenile Diabetes Cure Alliance to stipulate that auction funds only support practical cure research.

First held in 2005, the Brenda Novak for the Cure of Diabetes' online auction has raised a total of $1.6 million for type 1 diabetes research. Novak began the auction in honor of her son, Thad, who was diagnosed with type 1 as a child.

"Immediately after Thad's diagnosis, our lives were consumed by blood sugar testing, doctor's appointments and constant worry," said Novak. "At that time, I could hardly believe that someday he might lead a normal life. We're confident that with continued funding through individual gifts and programs like the auction, a practical cure is attainable."

A practical cure would eliminate carbohydrate counting, daily blood sugar testing, the worry of going low overnight and other burdens of diabetic life.

The New York-based Juvenile Diabetes Cure Alliance reports on cure progress and advises donors how to support practical cure research. The nonprofit JDCA is the only organization dedicated to realizing a practical cure for type 1 diabetes by a specific goal date. The organization believes a practical cure can be achieved by 2025.

"The JDCA was founded by researchers and businesspeople, many of whom have been affected by type 1 diabetes in their personal lives," said Phil Shaw, JDCA general manager and a 20-year management veteran. "We understand the urgency. Our goal is to accelerate the search for a cure in an intentional, meaningful way. We're thrilled to be working with Brenda and to be giving auction participants an opportunity to put practical cure research on the fast track."